The bill for Richmond Heights residents delinquent in paying for trash pick-up arrived last week, and it’s hefty.

The bill amounts to $16,000 for 600 homes, nearly 20 percent of all homeowners.

Finance director Lynda Rossiter reported on the delinquencies for the first quarter of the new haul away contract with Republic Waste services. When homeowners don’t pay, the city has to pay, though it recoups the money by adding it to tax bills.

Council immediately began looking for ways to minimize the bill. They are hoping the bill, now nearly a month old, has been reduced by those who paid in the interim. And the delinquents have one more quarter to pay before the city adds their bill to their tax duplicate in September.

Council President Dave Roche said the finance department should check the bill against vacant homes. Rossiter agreed with that idea and asked about sending a letter, though that would cost time and money.

Councilwoman-at-large Miesha Headen said the city has about 200 vacancies, so the chances of some being on the list mistakenly might be good.

As part of recent budget cutting moves, City Council passed along the cost of trash pick-up to residents starting the last quarter of 2010, a move that was not very popular with some residents.

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